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| Ford Mustang GTR |
To see full size pictures of the Mustang GTR goto the Mustang GTR Gallery on FordImages.com
The muscular Ford Mustang
GT-R rekindles the legend's road racing glory and
the magic of 5.0-liter Mustangs in a stunning racing concept
making its world debut today. The Mustang GT-R signals
a potential future race car, while honoring four decades
of performance glory just days before Mustang’s 40th
anniversary.
The bright Valencia Orange car – inspired by the
famous Grabber Orange 1970 Mustang Boss 302 Trans-Am race
cars (the Yellow Mustangs) piloted by race legends, including
Parnelli Jones – is a technological showcase that,
when peeled back, reveals a number of existing or production-feasible
racing parts.
Built at Saleen Special Vehicles in Troy, Mich., the car
was developed by the same members of the Ford GT "Dream
Team" who are building sub-assemblies and painting
body panels for Ford’s first supercar.
The Mustang GT-R features Ford Racing’s 440-horsepower
"Cammer" crate engine that already is affordably
available to grassroots racers, and can be tuned to produce
more than 500 horsepower under certain race series rules.
Last year, a tuned 505-horsepower version of the "Cammer"
notched world-class performance and endurance credentials
by powering a Focus Daytona Prototype to victory at the
24 Hours of Daytona race.
The racecar is engineered to tackle the world’s toughest
road and street courses with a stiff structure –
based on the all-new 2005 Mustang scheduled for sale this
fall – a collection of the most sophisticated racing
parts from many racing series and a Formula One-inspired
steering wheel. However, the Mustang GT-R could be easily
transformed into an affordable, competitive option for
grassroots teams because it uses 85 percent of the 2005
Mustang’s body components along with the same suspension
setups and the already-attainable "Cammer" powerplant.
"The Mustang GT-R could be adapted to conform to
different series and budgets but, in this variation, serves
as a dream machine. We took the ‘Cammer’ engine
from the Ford Racing catalog and built a race car around
it with the best parts we’ve researched and tested
through our unmatched global racing program," Davis
says.
Doug Gaffka’s – design director, Ford Performance
Group – design inspiration for the Mustang GT-R was
simple: Flex the 2005 Mustang shell to wrap the engine
and retain 85 percent of the production car’s solid
structure.
The front end is a further evolution of the Mustang GT
coupe and convertible concepts that stole the 2003 North
American International Auto Show and foreshadowed the
design of the 2005 Mustang. The Mustang GT-R features
the classic pony in the grille, surrounded by modern materials
like carbon fiber as well as advanced aerodynamic treatments
like ground-hugging front and side splitters.
The equally large rear fenders house tires that are an
inch wider. Considering how quickly 18- and 19-inch tires
became standard racing ware in recent years, the 20"
tires on the GTR are a realistic forecast of the next
evolution in racing rubber.
The classic Mustang rear quarter windows are blocked out
to accommodate the fuel delivery "dry-brake"
system on the driver’s side. The doors are fully
functional as required by many of the possible racing
classes.
Probably the most striking design element, the prominent
composite rear spoiler meets several road racing sanctioning
body rules. The rear fascia, like the front, is a further
expression of the GT concept design, with a wider taillamp
execution. Endurance racers will instantly recognize the
differential cooler mounted with an aluminum grille screen
between the taillamps.
The Mustang GT-R’s body retains 85 percent of the
production car’s body components that were stiffened
by 30 percent as part of the Mustang’s first full
makeover ever. The only modifications include rear-mounted
battery pods and a fuel cell relocated to the rear trunk.
The foundation for the Mustang GT-R's race-prepared 440-horsepower
engine is the new 5.0-liter "Cammer" crate engine
from Ford Racing Performance Parts. The engine is rooted
in the MOD 4.6-liter four-valve V-8 engine family. However,
the motor's flanged cylinder liners help provide 94mm
(instead of 90.2mm) cylinder bores, creating a full 5.0
liters of piston displacement.
And while the motor employs the SVT Mustang Cobra’s
forged crankshaft with six-bolt mains and Manley "H-Beam"
connecting rods for superior strength, the high-strength
Ford Racing block features design reinforcements and a
revised material for added strength and high-output durability.
The block is specially reinforced in the crankcase web
areas for high torque loads.
Other key differences include forged pistons, an 11.0:1
compression ratio, ported heads, higher-lift cams and
beehive-shaped valve springs. The crate engine also features
higher-flow fuel injectors and a magnesium, variable-geometry
intake manifold.
The 5.0-liter "Cammer" engine comes with a custom
oil pan and features custom-fabricated Tri-Y headers and
crossover.
Helping put the power to the ground is the Ford Racing-supplied
TTC T-56 six-speed transmission linked to the engine through
a heavy-duty clutch and flywheel assembly. Power exits
the transmission through a custom metal matrix composite
aluminum driveshaft into a race-specification differential
with a 4.56:1 final drive ratio.
The Mustang GT-R benefits from the 2005 Mustang’s
race-inspired chassis, developed and tuned by engineers
with Ford Racing engineering experience or a passion for
weekend track time. The Mustang’s race-bred suspensions,
near 50-50 weight distribution and ultra-stiff body structure,
are just the beginning of Mustang GT-R’s credentials.
Soon after the 2005 Mustang’s world reveal in January,
race engineers quickly began building on its solid foundation.
The Mustang GT-R concept's chassis was fully stripped
down to the body shell to receive custom reinforcement
and structural improvements for driver safety on the racetrack.
A roll cage was added, along with a Sparco-brand racing
seat with a five-point safety harness.
The production suspension geometry is retained, but key
parts were replaced to reduce weight or provide additional
strength for the rigors of racing. Suspension pieces,
including the K-member, are made of lightweight chrome-moly
tubing. The race-proven dampers are coil-over, fully adjustable
units featuring remote reservoirs. A strut tower brace
increases structural rigidity.
Rounding out the chassis package are huge, race-proven
Brembo brakes. The front features 14.3-inch rotors with
six-piston calipers; the rear has 13-inch rotors with
four-piston calipers. Linking the whole package to the
racetrack are 20-inch wheels and racing slicks provided
by Pirelli. Tire sizes range from 275/35 in front to 305/30
in the rear.
While conceptual in spirit,
the Mustang GT-R is built by racers and is a capable performer
with an eye on stepping up Mustang’s road-racing
presence. Several racing series – American LeMans,
SCCA Trans-Am, GrandAm Cup and the FIA – could easily
accommodate the Mustang GT-R. For example, the car could
meet some series rules with basic modifications to the
brakes, wheels, tires and body parts.
The Mustang GT-R also hints at a turnkey grassroots-racing
package that could be retailed through Ford Racing’s
parts’ catalog and distribution network.
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